The political temperature in Kolkata soared on Thursday as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its political consultancy arm, the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), launched a legal and administrative counter-offensive against the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The parties approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the legality of the central agency's searches, while multiple police complaints were prepared against the ED's conduct.
Legal Battle Reaches Calcutta High Court
The TMC and I-PAC filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, directly questioning the raids conducted by the ED. The searches targeted I-PAC chief Prateek Jain's residence on Loudon Street and the organization's office in Sector V. According to the High Court website, the respondents named in the TMC's petition are the Union Government, the Enforcement Directorate, and I-PAC itself.
Sources indicate that the petition raises serious concerns about the ED accessing confidential material. This includes sensitive information related to SIR-related work, details of booth-level agents, and strategic documents concerning the upcoming 2026 Bengal Assembly elections. I-PAC, which manages TMC's IT and media operations, argued that the searches jeopardized privileged political data.
Justice Suvra Ghosh's bench is scheduled to hear the matter on Friday. In a parallel development, the ED has also approached the same bench, citing allegations of 'obstructions' faced by its officials during the search operations.
Police Set to File Cases Against Central Agencies
The legal drama in court is matched by impending action on the police front. The Shakespeare Sarani police station is considering filing a suo motu case against the ED and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The allegation is that the central agencies obstructed the local police from performing their duties.
This stems from a confrontation that occurred on Thursday morning outside Prateek Jain's residence. ED officials, backed by central forces, were conducting searches linked to the coal scam. A verbal altercation erupted when the central forces asked the local Kolkata Police personnel to remain outside the main gate, leading to a tense standoff.
Furthermore, the Electronic Complex police station in Sector V is also prepared to file a suo motu case. Since I-PAC's office falls under its jurisdiction, the police are likely to accuse the ED of conducting operations without prior intimation to the local station, as is standard procedure.
Allegations of High-Handedness and Family Detention
Adding another layer to the controversy, Prateek Jain's family is planning to file a separate complaint. They have alleged that ED officials forcibly detained all family members during the search. The potential complaint may also accuse the agency of entering private spaces without serving proper notice, raising questions about procedural adherence.
The ED, for its part, has already criticized the Kolkata Police for what it termed 'overactivity' and interference in its lawful investigations. This public spat between central and state agencies underscores the deep political tensions surrounding the probe.
The convergence of a high-stakes legal challenge in the High Court and multiple police complaints sets the stage for a protracted conflict. The outcome will have significant implications for the ongoing investigation and the political landscape in West Bengal as the state moves closer to the 2026 elections.
